Dog Training: Frequently Asked Questions

Author: Susie Aga Atlanta Dog Trainer

I frequently get asked the same questions by different clients all the time. Here are the questions and the solutions.

Why won't my dog come to me when I call them?

First of dogs with out a fenced in yard are the harder to teach come to, because they do not have enough time off leash and will not give that up when they are loose. If you give your dog ample exercise off leash in an enclosed park or some other area on a regular basis then it is no big deal for them to come to you when they are loose because they are not giving anything up. Also you MUST be exciting no one wants a boring dog and no dog wants a boring owner. I can teach you 3 tools that will get your dog to come to you first their name means come to me, then ""come"" as an emergencies command and then I have a secret weapon that is fool proof.

Why does my dog tear up paper, eat Kleenex and sticks?

When dogs tear things apart or eat strange things it usually an instinctual behavior passed down from the wolves. Most of the time it comes from when wolves would hunt for food and tearing the meat off the bone is satiating to them. Kleenex eating is a mystery to my vet and myself. I think it just tastes good. A lot of dogs will sit down and eat a whole toilet paper roll or Kleenex box. If your dog does this the best advice I can give is to keep these things out of reach. If they can't reach it they can't chew/eat it!

How to get rid of urine smells in carpet?

There are many different products out there; personally I have not found one that is 100% effective. Natures Miracle seems to have a good reputation. There are many home remedies like a dilution of vinegar and water to get the smell out but this solution can also stain many surfaces and carpets so do a small test site first and wait 3-4 days to see if the color changes. The professional carpet cleaners sometimes guarantee to get the urine smell out of surfaces, make sure so you're not wasting your money on another useless method.

Why should I get my dog spayed or neutered?

The number one reason is that there are more than 5000 homeless dogs in the metro Atlanta area alone not to mention the surrounding counties. There are some dogs prone to testicular and other forms of cancer by neutering/spaying them you could be saving there life in the future. Dogs that are spayed/ neutered seem to have less behavior problems then dogs that are in tact. The health of the dogs is also better and you will have fewer visits to the veterinarian.

Where should I get a dog from?

A breeder, a pet store, or rescue group? If you get your dog from a rescue group (Golden Retriever rescue /Lab etc.) you can get the breed you are looking for and save a life. The humane societies and shelters always have a lot to choose from. If you must go to a breeder or pet store do some back ground checking and make sure you are not buying from a puppy mill.

What are some poisonous things I should be aware of around my house and yard?

Some command foods that are poison to dogs are chocolate, grapes and almonds. Just a few teaspoons of anti freeze can kill a dog in the matter of hours. Pesticides can be very harmful to animals as well rat poisons, bug repellents and moth ball. Some house plants such as poinsettias & mistle toe, azaleas and tulip bulbs are also poisonous.

About the author:

Susie Aga

Atlanta Dog Trainer

Susie is the featured Pet Expert for Turner Broadcasting and hosts The Animal Hour radio show on AM1650. She is a member in good standing with the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. She has four rescue dogs and donates much of her time and services to rescue organizations.

How To Easily Train An Aggressive Dog

Author: Marc Lindsay

Regardless of your reason for acquiring a puppy, you'll have to win it over. You, not your dog, will have to be the leader of the pack if your pup is to develop into a well-mannered family member instead of a burden. Dominance and alpha behavior are important concepts that every dog owner should comprehend.

Dogs are animals, not human beings. They are pack animals by nature. Every pack has a leader, known as the alpha animal, who dominates and leads the other members of the pack. The alpha is the boss who makes decisions for the entire pack. Usually the pack will have an alpha male and an alpha female. All the other members of the pack form a hierarchy of dominance and submission where everyone has a place.

In your home, you and your family become your dog's pack, as do any other dogs you may have. It is your responsibility to establish yourself in the alpha position. If you fail to do this, your dog will do it as a natural behavior. Many people assume that they are automatically in charge just because humans are superior to animals. But are you really the pack leader? Does your dog know it?

Being the pack leader does not mean you have to be big and aggressive. Nor does it mean that there has to be a battle of wills after which you are the victor. Anyone can be the pack leader. It is an attitude, an air of authority. It is the basis for mutual respect, and provides the building blocks of communication between the two of you.

A pack animal becomes a full fledged member of the group by a process called subordination. With dogs, subordination begins shortly after the third week of life and continues throughout early development. Most normal, healthy puppies are basically pushy animals, and will try to advance as far as possible within the social order of the pack. The key to successfully rearing a puppy is to establish yourself as the pack leader and then maintain that position for the life of your dog.

So how do you become the alpha leader? In the wild, the adults of the pack begin early to teach the cubs the rules. The adults grab pups around the head or neck and gently, but firmly, pin them to the ground. The cubs learn to greet the adults with respect by approaching them using a slightly crouching posture, with ears back, tail down and wagging, and they lick the adults' muzzles. The cubs do this as a sign of respect and affection, not out of fear. It is called the subordination display, and its function is to keep peace and harmony within the pack.

About the author: Training Aggressive Dog and Puppy Training product reviews so you know you are only teaching your dog the very best techniques.

How To Stop Your Dog From Barking

Author: Chris Smith

Training your dog to stop barking is one of the biggest issues you will face as a dog owner.

Excessive dog barking is a real pest for dog owners, their families and also the neighbours . But it is a fact of life that just as us humans love to talk, our dogs also love to communicate through their barking.

So it is a natural thing for your dog to bark, it's just when the barking is excessive that it becomes a big problem - and a nuisance for all concerned.

Dogs bark for any number of reasons, finding the trigger that sets your dog off is the key to solving the barking problem. Once you identify why your dog is barking or howling too much, you can then start to plan a solution to this behavioral problem.

One thing to keep in mind is that your aim is not to completely stop your dog from barking, rather just controlling it .

Why Do Dogs Bark Excessively?

- To express their needs (being bossy).

- They are staking out their territory .

- To alert other members of their pack (you and your family) of impending danger.

- When playing, through sheer excitement .

- Barking at other animals like squirrels or possums (my dogs get really cranky at possums, I'm in Australia).

- If they are isolated.

- If they are separated from their pack (you and your family).

- If they are trapped behind some type of barrier such as a fence or window. They may be able to smell, see or hear something that they can't get at (like the postman).

- They don't realise that barking is unacceptable and just do it for fun or out of habit.

- To express dominance .

- They bark because their owners have inadvertently rewarded their excessive barking in the past (this is important to understand).

- Lack of physical or mental stimulation.

- They may be uncomfortable or stressed for some reason. Things such as they feel threatened or they don't have an appropriate place to sleep.

- The dog may bark because he hasn't been properly socialized.

- May be looking for a response or some attention from his pack.

- Always keep in mind that although your dog may appear to be barking at nothing, in actual fact he probably is reacting to something. This is due to your dog having a much more acute sense of smell and hearing than us humans.

How To Stop Your Dog From Barking

The most important thing is to clearly communicate to your dog, what is acceptable behavior and what is not (in this case we are talking about excessive barking, but this rule applies whenever you are correcting any behavior problems).

One of the most common mistakes us dog owners make is to inadvertently reward our dogs excessive barking. When our dogs are excessively barking we actually reinforce the behavior when we do these things:

1. Yell and scream at the dog - this just gives them the attention they were craving.

2. Let them inside - this rewards their behavior .

3. Give them a comforting cuddle or some praise - this communicates to your dog that you are happy with them. What you want to communicate is that this nuisance barking is inappropriate .

Once you have established the reason why your dog is barking, you can then apply one or more of these proven techniques:

- Totally ignore the barking . This is a tough one to enforce but is very effective if your dog is barking to get attention. Just ignore your dog, don't even look at him. His barking will probably get worse to start with, but once he realises that it is not getting him anywhere, he will stop .

- Following on from the above technique, you must reward or praise your dogs good behavior . If your dog is behaving appropriately in a situation where he would normally be barking you must let him know you are happy with him.

- If you catch your dog in the act of barking, say No! and spray him with water . If you are consistent and use this method every time your dog barks, you will break the habit. This method uses the power of negative association. Every time your dog barks something unpleasant happens to him.

- Shield your dog from the distraction or cause of the barking. This could mean filling in any gaps in your fence or drawing the blinds.

- Obedience training helps with any behavioral problems . A properly trained dog will be easy to control and eager to please you in any situation. You can teach the ""Quiet!"" or ""Stop!"" command to stop your dog from barking.

- If you believe your dog is stressed you can try to make his area feel comfortable and secure to him. Put the radio on for him, provide some good chew toys and get a suitable kennel that he'll love.

- Give your dog lots of attention as well as plenty of physical and mental stimulation.

- When you see that your dog is about to start barking, call him over, get him to sit, then praise and reward him.

- Teach your dog to perform an alternate behavior to the excessive barking. If your dog goes off every time someone phones you, teach your dog to perform the down and stay command instead.

- Some people have had good success using Citronella Collars . Each time your dog barks, the collar sprays a mist of citronella into the air which causes your dog to stop barking. Similar to these collars are one's which emit high frequency noises that your dog doesn't like.

- Anti Barking Shock Collars are also used in cases of severe nuisance barking. These collars provide a correction or negative association each time your dog barks, in the form of a mild shock.

- A controversial method to stop your dog from barking is Debarking Surgery. This is a method I have never tried on my dogs and don't think I ever would. If your dog has a chronic barking problem it may be worth discussing this option with your Veterinarian.

- If your dog barks excessively while you are at work or are not home with him you can try this technique. When you arrive home ignore your dog, just go about your business for a while . Once your dog has settled down then go to him and pay him attention. Otherwise your dog will think his barking has caused you to come home. This will just encourage him to bark more and more, until you arrive home.

Whichever method you decide to use to stop your dog from barking make sure you are consistent and always reward appropriate behavior .

About the author: Chris Smith is a dog owner and creator of

http://www.dog-obedience-training-review.com

Find out how to properly train your dog at home.

Solve any behavioral problem and teach obedience commands.

Dog Training The Psychotic Dog

Author: John Mailer

The Psychotic Dog

A psychosis is defined as a mental disturbance of such degree that there is personality disintegration and loss of contact with reality. The line between neurotic and psychotic behavior is not well defined, even by psychiatrists and psychologists. Two prevailing criteria can be added to the definition of a neurotic dog to describe, for this purpose, a psychotic behavior. These involve circumstances in which the dog's behavior is dangerous to himself or to the safety of others, and in which the dog appears to be unaware of the behavior during and/or very shortly thereafter his actions.

If only the first criterion were to be applied to biting or self-mutilating dogs, then they would incorrectly be considered psychotic. In fact, many people believe that any biting dog should be labeled as a ""psycho"" and destroyed immediately, regardless of the circumstances. On the other hand, if the second element applies, and the dog is unaware of his behavior, it would seem reasonable to apply the psychotic label. The dog that appears to have withdrawn from reality or suffers episodes of withdrawal could be either psychotic or physically ill. If the behavior fits the basic neurotic model and is also in some way harmful to life or well-being, then the animal may be psychotic, if otherwise healthy.

Dogs that are defined as psychotic have included the following symptoms: Dogs that suffer ""avalanches"" of rage for no clinical reasons and do not respond to external stimuli; manic-depressive animals that vacillate between depression and wild activity; and depressed dogs that fail to respond even to powerful stimuli, such as hunger, as when dogs starve to death in the presence of food. These cases have been seen in pet dogs as well as laboratory animals. The rage and manic-depressive states occur mainly in excitable types, whereas depression usually occurs in those with inhibitive tendencies. Some notable factors in the medical histories of apparently psychotic pet dogs are listed below.

* Early distemper (before 3 months of age). * Serious parasitic infection (before 6 months of age). * Severe beatings. * Accidental injury, especially to the spine and/or head. * Accidental drug overdose. * Prolonged corticosteroid or other drug therapy. * Diabetes * Extreme psychic trauma.

The underlying physical problems are rarely, if ever, investigated with the same dedication applied to humans with similar conditions. As a result, the dogs are generally destroyed, which solves the owner's immediate problem, but offers no progress toward understanding of the problem's causes.

About the author: John Mailer Solve Dog Training Problems

http://housetrainingfordogs.blogspot.com http://housetrainingforpuppies.blogspot.com

How to Successfully Train Your Dog

Author: Terence Young

How to successfully train your dog is a question that most dog owners ask. Fortunately, more and more professional dog trainers are disclosing their best-kept trade secrets for the benefit of fellow dog lovers everywhere. Training one's dog is a personal matter that every dog owner should take to heart. A well-trained dog is a happy dog that also translates to a contented pet owner.

There are a number of factors to be considered before you can even expect to successfully train your dog. For one, it is important to set up an appropriate atmosphere for the training sessions. Keep in mind that dogs have a short attention span and constantly changing the training area will only make it harder for the dog to concentrate and learn.

It is also important to minimize the number of people involved in the training sessions. Too many people will only distract the dog's attention. Experts suggest that initial training sessions should be conducted by one of the family members alone. After a time, once the dog has become familiar with the training, then other family members can be trained to carry out the same instructions.

A Guide to Successfully Training your Dog

Potty training is a major stumbling block that most dog owners have a hard time overcoming. To successfully train your dog in this area, experts recommend a reward-based technique. Giving your dog a treat after a successful potty activity will help reinforce the good behavior. Your dog is more likely to remember that good potty equals a yummy treat compared to a bad potty that equals a scolding.

Keep in mind that successfully training your dog requires time and patience. Repeating an instruction several times is common as it gives your dog enough time to realize the instruction given. In most cases, it may take several tries before your dog will be able to follow the command alone. Generally, experts advice repeating and helping your dog with a command at least three times before letting the dog do it alone. This is a good way to assess if your dog has actually learned the lesson or not.

Straightforward communication is a key factor in successfully training your dog. Giving out instructions to your dog should be done in a direct manner. The command must be clear and definite for your dog to quickly grasp. At the same time, you should also correct your dog in case he or she did not carry out the command correctly. This will help eliminate confusion and keep your dog on the right track to learning.

Training your dog successfully also involves establishing a relationship with your beloved pet. Your dog must understand that you are the master and that as your pet, he or she must obey you. Showing any form of apprehension during training can easily damage that relationship. So the next time you are thinking of giving in... DON'T. You will only make it more difficult for yourself and your dog later You will only make it more difficult for yourself and your dog later on.

About the author: Terence Young - For more dog obedience and training tips and ideas visit: http://www.obediencedoggytraining.com

A Tale Of Four Dog Foods: Finding The Best Chow For Your Hound

Author: Nathan Fischer

We all love our dogs and want to give them the best life has to offer. But with so many variations of dog food in the market, it isn't always easy to identify the best food for our dog. Who can possibly feel confident when so many brands trumpet buzzwords that hit the human aisles not long ago, such as ""rich in antioxidants,"" ""highly digestible,"" ""Omega-3 fatty acids"" and ""Ultra Premium Formula""?

What we can do, though, is to conduct a simple dog food comparison to determine which foods best fit our dog's requirements and our personal schedule. After all, some foods offer much greater convenience than the more natural, less processed types of food which may require freezing, thawing, cooking and preparation.

Convenience aside, the best food to give your dog depends not on the brand or the style, but rather on your dog's age and any special requirements he might have. For example, older dogs require food containing a careful balance of protein, fat and fiber. Most commercial dog food companies address this need with offerings such as senior dog food, containing about 18 % protein, and food for dogs diagnosed with renal failure, containing about 14% protein.

Dare to Compare Dry Dog Food

The vast majority of dog owners go for dry dog food. Between the supermarket and specialty pet stores, owners enjoy many brands to choose from. Dry dog food consists of kibble typically made from one primary ingredient such as chicken, beef or lamb. More specifically, the main ingredient is usually a meat byproduct that's been processed, dried and sold in packs or bags for easy dispensing. Needless to say, meat byproducts are far cheaper than meat, so this type of dog food is not only easy to store, it's much less expensive than other types.

Hard kibble comes with some advantages. For example, it gives your dog's mouth some exercise, and kibble's less likely to contribute to plaque than softer foods.

When comparing brands, it helps to remember that there are essentially two types of dry dog food on the market: premium dog food and economy dog food. A smart owner will avoid purchasing the economy food, which is made from lower grade ingredients (for example, economy dog food will often substitute cheap corn for the more expensive meat byproducts). The ""end"" result, as it were, is that your dog can't absorb many nutrients but simply passes the food through his body. So in addition to enjoying less nutrition, your dog will produce larger stools -- and you might find yourself with more frequent vet bills.

Other Popular Contenders: Canned, Semi-Moist and More

Other categories of dog food include the semi-moist type and canned food. Many owners like to mix in some canned food with dry food, to potentially cover more nutritional bases without taking too big a hit to the pocketbook.

Semi-moist food is attractively convenient to owners, and dogs love it. Unfortunately, it may cause dental problems in the mid-term and worse in the long term, because semi-moist food is loaded with corn syrup and other sugars, which dogs just aren't designed to process.

Recently, more natural, ""premium"" dog food has been introduced to the market, in which higher quantities of quality, nutritious ingredients are used to manufacture the food -- often human-grade, in fact. Since vegetables, fruits, real meat and quality grains are used as the primary protein source in the highest-quality dog foods, these foods are a fast route to healthy skin and beautiful fur. For the most part, they contain no artificial coloring and preservatives, but are chock-full of vitamins and minerals instead.

Although this food costs more, you can feed your dog less of it, because it's more nutritionally dense. So in terms of both convenience and nutrition, a premium, natural dog food is one of the best choices available to your dog, whether off-the-shelf or purchased online.

About the author: Nathan Fischer writes for Poodle-oo, a site for teacup and small dog clothes and

wedding dresses for dogs .

Dog Training Behavioural Problems

Author: John Mailer

Behavioral Problems Associated With Parasitic Disease

Some of the problem behaviors in dogs are a result of an infection from parasite. These include internal parasites such as roundworm and tapeworm, flea infestation, ear mites, and Hypermetria.

Many dog owners are not aware that most parasite infection such as roundworm infestation is a condition that requires immediate veterinary attention. The fact is that it is important for all puppies to be dewormed as well as vaccinated against distemper and hepatitis. Most problems related to internal parasitism involve owners who do not know about the adverse effects of digestive malfunction, but still expect a young dog to control his loose stools, be able to housetrain successfully, and learn all the more complicated lessons of being an ideal household pet. When the puppy does not respond well to the training, the owner sometimes reacts by isolating, punishing or rejecting the pet socially. The resulting confusion and mismanagement of the pet often produce a wide spectrum of behavioral maladjustments.

The following problems are often shown in dogs with internal parasites: Chewing; Digging; Barking; Whining; Unruliness (due to being isolated as punishment); and Stool eating which is possibly due to a fecal fixation resulting from excessive punishment associated with stools. Flea infestation has led to rejection by some dog owners. Most of them will only try to get rid of fleas on the dog. They buy a flea collar or flea spray, but usually do nothing about the fleas infesting the dog's regular sleeping and resting areas. The result of this is that the dog continues to be infested and is eventually moved to the yard. The problems associated with such social isolation then may evolve.

Ear mite infestation led to isolation-based problems involving destructive chewing. Often, the dog's constant scratching drives his owner crazy and will eventually result from the dog being shut away. Some dog owners neglect the rather obvious ear odor commonly associated with ear mites, and refuse to handle the behavioral problem until the ear problem clears up. Consult your vet when you notice a foul odor coming from your dog's ear. Your vet will prescribe treatment for the scratching problem which in turn will lead to subsequent behavioral corrections.

It is amazing that most animals displaying signs of hypermetria had histories of heavy roundworm or tapeworm infections as puppies. In cases of Hypermetria, the dogs tend to bump into objects, usually submerge their noses when drinking, and display an exaggerated fore-throw of the front limbs when walking. Some cases of dogs suffering from this condition are abnormally hostile and seemed to be devoid of long-term memory. These dogs had to be re-taught simple lessons every day.

About the author: John Mailer Solve Dog Training Problems

http://housetrainingfordogs.blogspot.com http://housetrainingforpuppies.blogspot.com

Dog Training Problems

Author: John Mailer

Hyperkinesis In Dogs

Anyone who has worked extensively with dogs has occasionally been confronted by an over-active, sometimes raging, vicious kind of dog, the handling of which has required a heavy duty tranquilizer and several helpers. In many cases, such behavior cannot be explained by improper handling or cruelty and neglect by their owners. When it seems that nothing can be done to correct the problem, then he is written off as ""just a plain vicious dog"" and relegated to the end of a chain or destroyed as a menace to the neighborhood. Since the early 1970s, such excitable and mean behavior has been identified in some dogs as hyperkinesis.

Hyperkinesis is a behavioral condition that is described as ""a hyper behavior that is treatable with stimulants."" by Bonnie V. Beaver, in The Veterinarian's Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior. Lack of accurate information from dog owners exists regarding this condition, probably because it has recently been given a new label which is ""attention deficit disorder."" While ADD, as it is termed, may describe certain aspects of the readily observable behavior of a hyperkinetic dog, it lacks the physiologic symptoms which can be described and measured.

Signs associated with hyperkinesis in dogs are usually displayed when the dog is stressed by close confinement and/or social isolation. Signs include rapid heart rate and respiration, excessive salivation, a high metabolic rate, and reduced urine output. The major difficulty in identifying the syndrome, however, is that there is no apparent cause. Clinical signs may be evident in dogs that are normal in other circumstances. In addition, dogs identified as hyperkinetic do not always exhibit the same behavior patterns or physical symptoms.

Initial symptoms of this problem falls into the following categories: the dog cannot sit still, even for a minute; he never becomes accustomed to everyday situations; he cannot be taught anything (often an obedience school failure); and he salivates constantly and always seems very excited or very nervous. Many experienced, gentle dog owners were bitten, and some of these dogs will viciously attacked other dogs without hesitation, even friendly and docile animals.

In studies designed to evaluate responses to stress, some dogs did not respond to positive reinforcement, and tranquilization were all tried, but did not work. Typically, such dogs would be eliminated from the study, but because the researchers were interested in the interaction of genetics and psychological environment, they were curious about dogs that appeared unwilling to be studied. Eventually the researchers decided they were dealing with the equivalent of hyperkinetic children.

About the author: John Mailer Solve Dog Training Problems

http://housetrainingfordogs.blogspot.com http://housetrainingforpuppies.blogspot.com

Dog Grooming Ins And Outs

Author: James McDonald

Dog grooming may sound simple, but it is more involved than just washing and drying your canine friend. There are some important health benefits that can be obtained by either learning the proper techniques or visiting a professional dog groomer on a regular basis. Not only do you address their fur but you also address their paws, ears, and other important senses.

Dog grooming as it pertains to the ears involves periodic cleanings and inspections. Your veterinarian or dog groomer will recommend a saline solution or similar product to help dissolve excess earwax. Make sure you learn the proper techniques before trying this to avoid injuries to their sensitive eardrums. Your vet will show you how to do it and what to look for, especially if your dog has longer hair. These dogs are more prone to ear infections than their short-haired counterparts.

When grooming your dog you will want to inspect their paws thoroughly. Look for any cuts or swollen areas that may indicate an injury has occured. If you find anything contact your veterinarian immediately to help avoid infections or other problems that can occur. And if all looks good, get a good set of dog nail clippers and trim their nails. Use a similar technique to what you do for yourself and avoid taking too much nail off.

If you ever noticed your dog dragging his behind across the floor you should take him to a professional groomer. He is trying to release some fluid buildup in small sacs located under his tail. Groomers can clean or 'express' your dogs' anal glands which will give your canine family member some much needed relief. This type of dog grooming should definitely be left up to the professionals.

Just like with your own body, periodic grooming is necessary to keep your dog healthy. You can do some of the basics yourself especially with a little education. There are many books out there that go into precise details. You should also have your dog visit a professional groomer at least once per year for a good once over. Doing this can go a long way towards him living a happy and healthy life.

About the author: James McDonald writes for discount-dog-products.com where you can find many different discount dog products for just about any breed. And additionally, we have many informative articles to help any dog owner with some of the common questions.

Looking After Your Dog, Part Two - A Comfy Bed for Your Dog

Author: Niall Kennedy

Your dog needs the comfort of a warm bed in much the same way as you do. Purchasing a dog bed is considered by many as being extravagant. However, it's far from being a luxury item, and is in fact a necessity. You would not want your dog to sneak onto your couch or curl up on your bed. You can avoid such a situation by providing your dog with a comfy bed of its own.

As dogs grow older, they tend to suffer from arthritis. Therefore, sleeping on a hard and cold floor can be a painful ordeal for them. Such sleepless nights may in turn render your dog lethargic and unwilling to go for a walk or exercise. Orthopedic dog beds aid in relieving such symptoms. A warm dog bed will provide the much needed comfort for your dog, especially on a cold night.

A nice dog bed makes your dog feel a bit more secure, and enhances its health and emotional wellbeing. Dogs are territorial and typically favor a particular area where they like to lie down more often. This is where you should place the dog bed.

With an elaborate range of designs and makes, dog beds can be quite fashionable as well. According to need, you can buy a small, large, quilted or water-proofed dog bed.

Another aspect that you need to consider while buying a dog bed is its appropriate size. You may have a rough idea of this by gauging the area covered by your dog in its natural sleeping position. Also ensure that the bed type is something that suits your faithful canine friend.

Investing in a dog bed is as essential as providing good food for your dog. Don't choose a dog bed just because it's easy on the pocket. Your main concern should be durability and comfort. A good quality dog bed may last the lifetime of your dog, while a cheaper one may wear out quickly. Therefore, give the best to your faithful canine companion.

About the author: Best Pet Health Information is a resource that brings you information about many aspects of dog health and care . http://www.Best-Pet-Health.info. Dog News Center - Dog Article Directory - Submit Your Articles Now

This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact.

Finding Out The Cause of Bad Dog Behavior

Author: Robert Bercume

Finding Out The Cause of Bad Dog Behavior

Figuring out the cause of behavior problems can be difficult to say the least. Most behavior problems have a common cause. Some include Boredom (due to lack of exercise), Loneliness (caused by to much isolation), Nutrition (poor or inadequate diet).

Most behavior problems can be fixed by addressing the following:

Sufficient Exercise, Companionship, Health, Good Nutrition, and of course good Training!

Training is a big factor. A dog wants to feel needed and useful. Getting a dog to obey, tricks, etc.. will do wonders for correcting bad behavior.

Training creates a situation of interaction and relationship building. A dog learns to respect commands and enjoys the interaction.

Dedicate at least 5 to 10 minutes per day teaching a dog something new. Spend a week or two on one goal and then move to the next. A dog will look forward to the time together!

Not sure where to start? Many professional trainers have brought their skills and knowledge to the internet in forms of ebooks, DVD's, CD-ROM's, Video, Books, Newsletters etc...

Always do research when selecting training material to correct bad dog behavior. Some programs use violent measures and should be avoided.

Happy Training!

Sincerely,

Robert Bercume

Dog-Training-Sites.com

http://www.dog-training-sites.com

About the author: Robert Bercume is the creator of 3 Popular Dog Training Websites, http://www.Dog-Training-Sites.com, http://www.SimpleDogTraining.com http://www.PuppyTipster.com helping individuals worldwide with their Dog Training Needs.

Frequently Asked Dog Behavior Questions

Author: Susie Aga Atlanta Dog Trainer

1. Why do dogs eat their poop?

One reason dogs eat their poop is because it just plain tastes good. Another reason is it could be a vitamin deficiency. One other reason for the poop eating is that it is an instinctual behavior in the wild to eat the poop to keep other predators from tracking their movements. Some solutions for stopping poop eating are: You can put meat tenderizer on their food and it is supposed to make the poop taste bad once it goes through the body. Check to make sure your dog food is nutritous enough and they are getting everything they need in their diet. The best and most effective way is to clean up after your dog immediately.

2. How do I get my dogs to stop barking?

Dogs bark as a form of communication. Dogs will also bark out of boredom. Dogs that are not with their pack [you are their pack] will bark to get the packs attention to let them know they are lonely. Dogs will bark to alert that there is a person walking by or another dog in their territory it is a natural form of communication. If you remove the stimulant then there is no need to bark at it. The best way to stop nuisance barking is to exercise/socialize your dog. If the dog is with their pack then they is no need to get the packs attention. Dogs also bark when they are excited it is their natural way of communication.

3. How do I get my dog to stop chewing up the furniture?

If you have a puppy it is probably teething and in some pain. The chewing is satiating to them and can possibly be soothing their gums. You can give them a cold carrot to chew on, make sure you give it to them outside it can get quite messy. You can also freeze chicken broth in ice cube trays for them to have to help relieve some of the discomfort.

You can also use Bitter Apple spray to detour them from chewing. Mature dogs usually chew out of boredom and stress. Exercise is the best way to release the stress. You can turn there attention on to something else that is more exciting then your dinning room table leg.

4. How do I get my dog to stop nipping and play-biting?

One way is to yelp very loud and startle the puppy. If the puppy was playing with another puppy and it bite to hard then the puppy would yelp to let them know it hurt. If the play stops as a result of biting too hard then the puppy will learn from being shunned away that biting stops the play time. Another solution for play biting is to have a toy and redirect the attention on to something else. You can also change the dogs environment take them outside for a walk is very helpful.

5. How do I stop my dog from potting in the house?

Once a dog start using the bathroom in the house the only method that works is PREVENTION. Every time your dog uses the bathroom in the house it takes 10 consecutively times using the bathroom outside that teaches it outside is where to go potty. So if you get to 9 times outside and then they have a mistake inside you have to start all over again. You must look at your dog/puppy as a 9 month old crawling baby with out a diaper on. Surely you would not let a 9 month old baby loose in your house with out a diaper on.

About the author:

Susie Aga

Atlanta Dog Trainer

Susie is the featured Pet Expert for Turner Broadcasting and hosts The Animal Hour radio show on AM1650. She is a member in good standing with the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. She has four rescue dogs and donates much of her time and services to rescue organizations.

Swimming Good for your Dog

Author: aaheroe

Most people fav sport for his dos is running, but you must know that this sport could caused the injury to your dog? When the dog run at solid surface like asphalt or the grass field the pivot will work hard to keep the burden of the body several fold when the dog running. This was also experienced by the football athlete, the runner, basketball, et cetera. They tended to experience the injury to the muscle and the pivot foot.

There was the other method of avoiding the injury to the dog that is by giving him swim sport. This sport tended safer for the muscle and the pivot because of the foundation to foot did not keep the burden of the body. Swim for 5 minutes same as run 8 kms. Apart from as sport to burn fat (cardiovascular), swam could increase the function of the work of the lungs and the heart. When swimming, the chest part of the dog received the pressure from water so as to force the dog to breathe with the burden so as muscles of the respiratory part will be formed well and completely. Swimming also was used for therapy to the dog that experienced was sick or the injury. This therapy was named Hydrotherapy, often was applied to the dog that experienced was sick or the injury in the part foot. The dog that experienced the part fracture foot or the difficult injury to the muscle usually needs time that for quite a long time to rest. After recovering, the dog must undergo this therapy in order to be able to go well as of old. Although your dog has been used to it with routine sport better be given by the introduction before at the time of the first time this swimming exercise. For the dog that liked water, this will more find it easy but for the dog that had never played in water will need time to try him. For the beginning was enough 2 minutes for each one of his exercises for one week after that exercise time could be increased in stages. Although this exercise only for a moment should not increase the exercise because the dog power has been drained and the dog will need time to return his power that was lost as a result of swimming.

About the author: aaheroe is a webmaster and cat and dog lover. For more information visit http://www.my-pet-medicine.com and http://www.mypetproduct.com

How To Train A Dog Not To Bark

Author: Chris Smith

One of the most common questions dog owners are forced to address is how to train a dog not to bark.

Dogs love to bark. It's a perfectly natural thing for your dog to do, just as it's normal for us humans to speak.

It's when our dogs bark excessively that it becomes a problem for all concerned - including our neighbours.

Considering this, our goal isn't to to stop our dogs from barking, but rather how to control the excessive barking.

There are of course situations when we want our dogs to bark (and I guess there are also times when I like my chatty aunty to speak!;)

Training our dogs to stop or at least reduce their barking habit can be a very difficult task.

The first step in modifying this problem is to determine the reason why your dog is barking in the first place. Once you've identified the cause or trigger, you can then plan your training solution.

Why Do Dogs Bark?

- To express their needs (being bossy).

- Some dogs are bred to bark (some terriers and hounds).

- They are staking out their territory.

- To alert other members of their pack (that's you and your family) of impending danger.

- When playing, just through sheer excitement.

- Barking at other animals. Depending on where you are in the world, it could be squirrels or any other small animal.

- If they are isolated.

- Some dogs bark excessively when seperated from their pack (you and your family).

- If they are trapped behind some type of barrier like a fence or window.

- Just for fun!

- To express dominance (puppies normally test you out at some stage with a display of dominance barking).

- They bark because their owners have inadvertently rewarded excessive barking in the past (this is crucial to understand).

- Through boredom or a lack of physical and mental stimulation.

- May feel stressed or uncomfortable for some reason. Things like feeling threatened or if they don't have an appropriate place to sleep can cause excessive barking problems.

- Dogs that haven't been properly socialized often become nuisance barkers.

- May be looking for a response or some attention from their pack.

Another thing to keep in mind is that even though it may appear to you that your dog is barking at nothing, this is not necessarily the case. This is due to the fact that your dog has a much more acute sense of hearing, smell and sight than us humans. Your dogs excessive barking is probably being triggered by something.

How To Stop Your Dog From Barking

Ok, now we've sorted out the reason for your dogs barking problem, we can put some training techniques in place to control it.

The most important piece of advice to remember when trying to modify any dog behavioral problem, is to clearly communicate to your dog what is acceptable behavior and what is not .

One of the biggest mistakes us dog owners make is to inadvertently reward our dogs excessive barking . We actually encourage and reinforce the barking problem when we commit these three dog training sins:

- Yell and scream at the dog, this just gives them the attention they were crying out for.

- Let them inside. If your dog is barking his head off outside, then you let him in, this just rewards the barking.

- If your dog is barking and you react by giving him a comforting cuddle or a treat of some sort, you are definately encouraging your dog to bark again . By doing this you are communicating to your dog that you are happy with him. You should be making it clear that his excessive barking is inappropriate.

Right, lets get stuck into some proven techniques to stop your dog from barking. I've listed the most common reasons why your dog may be barking, and some suggested solutions you can try.

Dog Goes Crazy Every Time The Phone Rings

This is a very common and annoying time for dogs to bark excessively. Try these training techniques:

- Never yell at your dog.

- Get your dog used to the phone ringing , don't make it such a big deal. Ring your home number from your cell phone or get a friend to keep calling you. When the phone rings just sit there, don't say or do a thing. Repeat this process over a few days, your dog will probably continue to bark for a while but will give up before long.

- If you give your dog basic obedience training , behavioral problems such as excessive barking are easily controlled. Your dog looks up to you as their pack leader and is eager to please you in any situation. Teaching the Quiet! or Stop! obedience training command will soon correct nuisance barking problems.

- You may have some success by changing the tone and volume of your ring tone.

Dog Barks When You Are Not Home

I'm not going to pretend this type of barking will be easy for you to control, because in reality it is often a difficult and lengthy process.

Always remember that dogs are social creatures, when they are seperated from their pack (you) they can become stressed and frustrated . This type of excessive barking is often caused by seperation anxiety.

- Firstly I'd say just use your common sense and get these dog ownership basics right. Keep your dog well exercised (physical and mental) and provide fresh water, chewing toys and a nice comfortable place to sleep. You can also try to block your dogs view of the street or other distractions. Basically, make sure your dog is happy .

- If you know your dog has been barking while you have been away, you must ignore him for a while when you return home . I understand this is difficult for lots of owners, but otherwise your dog believes that his barking is the reason you came back home to him. Just go about your business for a little while when you get home, ignoring your dog. When your dog has settled down, you then initiate contact with him.

- This next method takes time and patience, but can be a very effective way to stop your dog from barking. It's based on that important rule applicable to all training situations. Praise or reward when your dog does something good, create a negative association when he does something bad . Leave the house as you normally would, but just hide somewhere nearby. When your dog starts to bark spray him with water or throw a tin can full of coins or rocks in his direction (this is the negative association). Try to keep out of your dogs sight while doing this if possible. Go and hide again, if he is quiet for a while, go in and reward his good behavior with some praise and maybe a treat. This process may need to be repeated over and over until you have broken the excessive barking habit.

- The above techniques have proven to be successful with my own dogs, but if they don't work for you, maybe you could try a Citronella Collar . Again this method uses the power of negative association. Every time your dog barks, a fine mist of citronella is sprayed into the air. Most dogs hate the smell, and soon realise if they don't bark, the smell isn't there to bother them. If you have more than one dog this method is not a suitable solution.

Dog Barks For Attention Or To Demand Something

This is one excessive barking problem that can be corrected very quickly. - If you establish yourself as the pack leader or alpha dog in your owner-dog relationship, this type of barking problem won't occur. You'll also form a strong bond with your dog based on trust and respect .

- Another effective method you can try to stop this attention barking is simply ignoring your dog . Your dog will probably become frustrated and bark alot initially, but once he realizes that it is not getting him anywhere, he will stop. This training method can be hard on the ears for a while!

Dog Barks At Passers By

Workers like the Postman and Delivery Driver's are constantly being barked at throughout their day.

Your dog perceives these type of people as intruders or a threat to their territory . The dog then barks and every time he barks he is rewarded, as the intruder goes away. Your dog is then very pleased that he has averted this threat, which leads him to do it again and again. His behavior is reinforced and therefore this can be a difficult problem to turn around.

- If possible, you could try to block your dogs vision or access to the area where these people pass by.

- Dog obedience training is the best solution to this type of excessive barking . Once you have your dog properly obedience trained, you will be able to communicate to him that this is unacceptable behavior.

- If your dog consistently barks at a particular person, you may need this person to help modify your dogs behavior. Just say your dog gets really agitated each time the postman arrives. Have a chat to your postman and give him some of your dogs very favorite treats. Each time he delivers to your house, he can also deliver a tasty treat to your dog. In your dogs mind the postman goes from being a threat, to a welcome guest .

How To Train A Dog Not To Bark

In extreme cases of excessive barking, where all else has failed, some people advocate debarking surgery. I've never needed to go down this path with any of my dogs, and don't think I ever would. But if you have come to the end of the line and think you have run out of options, you could discuss debarking surgery with your Veterinarian.

Good luck in trying to control your dog's excessive barking. If you consistently apply the above training techniques and add a little patience, you should have your dog under control before long.

About the author: Chris Smith is a dedicated dog owner and creator of http://www.dog-obedience-training-review.com

Discover how to properly obedience train your dog at home. The latest cutting edge and proven dog training methods.

Routine Ear Examinations Could Save Your Dog's Life!

Author: Lori S. Anton

While it is true that some health issues in pets are unavoidable, there are some things care givers can do to help prevent a serious health threat from developing.

For instance, plenty of fresh clean water, a healthy diet, adequate, clean shelter, and routine ear care can go a long way in heading off serious problems requiring professional veterinarian intervention.

Most pet owners are aware of the necessity of a sufficient supply of water to avoid dehydration, the importance of a healthy, nutritious diet, and sanitary living conditions. But many pet owners are not aware of the importance of routine ear care for their pets.

Professional dog groomers understand the importance of possible health hazards resulting from unhealthy ears. They usually include an ear exam and cleaning with their regular grooming services. There are several things they look for during their ear exam:

1.) Head shaking and ear scratching 2.) Ears sensitive to the touch 3.) Discharges coming from the ears 4.) Blood blisters (hematomas) on the ear flap 5.) Odors coming from the ears 6.) Tumors (melanomas) inside the ears.

Knowing the dangers of neglected ear problems - some of which are life threatening - responsible caregivers should give their dog ear exams and clean them in between grooming services; about once every week.

At Savvy Dog Lover web site, we recommend the following

When inspecting the dog's ears, caregivers should note if the ear area is sensitive to the touch. Gently handle the dog's ear; look inside the ear for any redness, swelling, foreign objects such as dirt or other organic matter, or accumulated ear wax.

Water trapped in the ear canal can cause the ear to develop an infection and become very painful. The damp environment in the ear canal is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and fungus. Dogs with ear flaps are especially at risk. For this reason, it is a good idea to place cotton in the dog's ears during bathing. Ears should be checked after bathing to insure that the inside is dry.

Ear mites sometimes reside in ear wax. Dogs with ear mites often shake their heads and scratch at their ears. If the caregiver notices this problem, they should check any ear wax for mites. This can be accomplished by carefully removing accumulated ear wax without entering the ear canal too far, risking damage to the ear drum.

Use a sterile piece of cotton and a small amount of commercial ear cleaning solution to ""swab"" inside the ear no further down than one-half inch into the ear canal. Do not saturate the cotton with solution, as this could cause the solution to drip into the ear canal and cause other health hazards. (Do not go further down into the ear than one-half inch even if more wax, redness, or foreign matter can be seen. Instead, consult with a veterinarian.)

What to Look For

Under bright lighting, smear a sample of the ear wax on a piece of white paper. If ear mites are present small white specks will be seen in the ear wax.

Ear mites are very contagious and require repeat treatments. This is because the insecticide used to treat ear mites kills only adult mites. Repeat applications every 7 days, waiting 10 days for baby mites to mature before providing more treatments is usually recommended. If ear mites are noted in the ear wax, contact a veterinarian for treatment recommendations.

Whether or not ear mites are present, accumulated ear wax in a dog's ear can lead to ear canker and other serious infections. If a dark-colored discharge and foul odor is present, a veterinarian should be consulted at once.

While occasional scratching may be normal for a healthy dog, repeated scratching usually signals discomfort. Even if nothing can be seen during ear inspection, the dog could have an allergy that causes him to scratch his ears. Again, a veterinarian should be consulted.

Foreign debris caught in the ear can work down into the ear canal and create serious health problems that could be life threatening. If the debris cannot be readily extracted without entering the ear canal more than one-half inch, contact a veterinarian at once.

Regardless of whether or not health hazards are found in the dog's ear, clean the inside flap. Gently swab the inside of the ear flap using sterile cotton and a small amount of commercial ear cleaning solution. Swab outward to the ear flap, not towards the inside of the ear.

Repeat as needed, but do not ""over clean."" The inner ear flap is sensitive and could become irritated. Do not allow liquid to drip down into the ear canal while cleaning.

Remain observant while cleaning the ear. Possible health hazards such as redness or swelling, previously unnoticed, might become visible.

Summary

Regular routine ear cleaning to remove wax build up and dirt and checking ears for the above mentioned health hazards help avoid the risk of serious health problems that could become life threatening.

We at the Savvy Dog Lover web site care about your pet. Ear exams take only a few minutes and could save you a hefty vet's bill, or prevent the loss of your beloved pet.

For other canine health-related articles, healthcare products such as ear cleaning solution, and other pet products, visit the Savvy Dog Lover web site .

© Lori S. Anton Savvy Dog Lover Editor

About the author: Lori S. Anton, has been writing for nearly 30 years. She is founder and editor of Writers Write Now . She is also Savvy Dog Lover editor. Savvy Dog Lover web site offers valuable information on pet health, care, and training, as well as top pet products. Visit Savvy Dog Lover - where the best bones are buried!

Natural Dog Health Care: Giving Man's Best Friend A Longer Life

Author: Joan Winthorp

It is important to give your dog the best life you can possibly provide. That includes taking care of all her needs.

Having a pet is not so different from having a child. Your dog depends on and trusts you to ensure that all its needs are taken care of.

This means making sure it gets regular check ups and vaccinations. That is the unwritten contract you sign when you have a pet.

And just like your body, your dog's body has special needs--and you need to find out how best to meet them if you want to improve your pet's quality of life.

Choosing natural dog health care means that you have taken a pro-active decision to do the best you can for your dog. It also means that you will dedicate yourself to this decision.

Natural dog care also means that you provide the best natural pet products for your dog. This will ensure that your dog stays healthy and enjoys a long life.

Natural dog health care also means that you need to know your dog's needs. Because just like us humans, your dog has its own unique needs that can only be met by the right products. You need to know that your dog is counting on you to know what is right for it.

That is when natural dog health care can be of benefit to you and your dog. You will easily meet your dog's daily demands and it will be of no effort at all.

You have to be sure that the products you purchase for your dog are not working against your dog immune system, but with it to ensure that your dog is getting healthy and strong.

By knowing what to get, you will be able to make the right decision.

Talk to your vet about natural dog health care; and ask them if they can advise you on what the best products are that will ensure you that you are giving your dog the best natural care possible.

About the author: Joan Winthorp has always been fascinated by dogs. If you are a ""dog lover"" then the Joans website at http://www.my-dog-training-secrets.com was written just for you.

Even dog washing businesses have websites

Author: Jesse S. Somer

If you have a business and haven't got a website on the Internet, you're pretty much crazy. I don't want to sound judgmental but you must be either really behind the times, or just plain scared to get yourself onto the Web. If it is the latter, the fear is an irrational one, having a website is only going to do great things for your life. Have you seen how many computers there are in the world today? Look at how much they've now been integrated into everyday human culture and society. Everywhere you go there are Internet cafes and computer retailers, people with mini-computers on the train, or laptops at the local park (receiving wireless broadband Internet). If you can't see, hear, taste, smell, and feel the opportunity in having a website for every one of your potential customers to visit, you must be catatonic, drunk, or insane. If you truly do fall into one of these three categories, I'm really sorry, but if one day you do find a balanced state of life again, please check out the Internet and see what it is doing for people all around the world. OK, let's give you an example of how this works. Say you own a small dog washing business. You've got a good client-base built simply from an advertisement in the Yellow Pages and from people seeing your shopfront on the street. You make a good living, so why would you want or need to get a website? First of all, there's nothing even remotely technical about washing a dog. Humans have been washing stinky canines ever since they started to breed them into the wide range of freaks that exist today (you tell me that a bulldog sitting next to a Chihuahua and a St. Bernard doesn't mess with your head). The computer doesn't help you scrub, people, it helps you to get more dogs to scrub. You're probably thinking, 'I'd be the only idiot alive stupid enough to think that I'd get any more customers by putting up a dog washing website on the Internet.' Well, check these out, they are but a few of the multitude around the world that came up when I typed the words 'dog wash' into my search engine (Google): http://www.dogwash.com/, http://www.dogwash.net/, http://www.southbark.com/home.htm, http://www.dogwashnyc.com/, http://barebonesdogwash.com/, http://www.bugsie.co.uk/, http://www.petwash.com/main.htm, http://www.pet.net.au/rumpoles/dogwash.htm, http://www.dogwashing.com.au/ http://www.scrubadubdog.net/home.html.

You see, you're not crazy to think it might work. Put simply, it does. Why would so many different people have put their dog wash businesses online? Check these sites out and see what they look like. You can get a pretty good idea of the many ways that you can construct your site, from the very simple to the quite elaborate. One point you might want to notice is how each site is totally individualistic. Websites are an opportunity to express your unique cultural approach to your business. For example, you might want to get the wealthier side of town to bring their pooches to your shop. What's going to attract them? An intelligent site with an elegant atmosphere could be a start. Maybe you'd use gold or maroon background colours, high quality photos of super-clean dogs posing next to Rolls Royce's and Ferraris, and have text that gives elaborate detail as to how far you go when you groom an animal- E.G. Doggie manicures and massage?

Maybe you want your site to be fun and friendly. You could put up lots of colourful images, plus photos of laughing kids having fun spraying foamy soap on both the dogs and all over themselves. You could put up an offer that if they mention your website when they visit in-person, both the dog and the kids get a special treat (hopefully not the same one!). Are you getting the message people? Having a website for your business gives you an opportunity to share more of your self and your creativity with your potential customer-base. It's a chance to show them who you are, why you're different from others, and why you're the best place to go for that specific product.

The other main reason and the most obvious one to get a website is the fact that you'll be able to cover a massively wider sector of human society than you currently get in contact with. Anyone who has access to a computer and who is interested in your area of expertise can find you through a simple search on the Internet. That's how it's done today, everything else is deemed old-fashioned. If we want to know more about anything at all in life, we plug in and connect to that ultimate database of information and communication. Two of the main reasons people use the Web is to find out about a business, or to advertise and share their own business with those who are searching for a service or product. If your luggage shop isn't found online, let me tell you that there are droves of travellers who are flying by your shop for 'greener pastures'. They simply don't know you exist anymore; they're going to the nearest shop with the coolest website.

About the author: By Jesse S. Somer http:// www.m6.net Jesse S. Somer is someone who knows that if you're business isn't on the Internet, you're simply not known. Jesse S. Somer is a creative writer working at M6.Net: 'The web-hosting company for humans.' M6.Net is working hard to help humanity experience the power and freedom to develop their own part of the Internet, to share their information and connect with anyone, anywhere, anytime.

Basics Dog Training

Author: John mailer

Choosing Basics Dog Training Methods

Before choosing a particular basics dog training method, carefully examine the technique to ensure that it will communicate proper associations. Certain methods may not communicate what you intend.

A dog-aggressive Akita was enrolled in a basics dog training program that his owner thought was reputable. The trainer convinced the owner that the only way to break the Akita of aggression toward other dogs was to let a more dominant dog put him in his place.

The trainer's dog displayed dominance toward other dogs, so she placed him in a room with the Akita and left the two dogs to work things out. When the trainer heard a window crashing, she opened the door to find that her dog was injured, and the Akita had been richly rewarded for his aggressive dog behavior with a nice victory under his collar.

Not really a well thought out behavior dog training method. If this method does not make sense to you, it probably won't make sense to the dog, either. It is very important for you to display dominence toward your dog and he will then respond to your basics dog training commands. But to display dominence you do not need to be violent and hit your dog. Just to be firm and give clear commands to your dog.

One trainer sent around a flyer giving free advice to the general public on how to stop dogs from digging. The trainer suggested filling the newly dug hole with water and taking the dog over to the hole by the scruff of the neck to dunk his head in the water filled-hole.

The next sentence on this flyer cautioned the owner that the dunking probably would not stop the dog from digging; instead, forcing the dog down to the water by the scruff of the neck was a demonstration of dominance, a root cure-all for problem dog behavior.

The trainer thought through the basics dog training method far enough to figure out that the water would have no effect on future digging. Unfortunately, he did not explain that the dog would learn to mistrust his owner for trying to drown him.

Shortly after this flyer was distributed, another trainer was indicted for animal abuse for employing this very correction technique. Therefore when dog training use friendly methods to train him. Make it seem like a game to your dog. Always, without fail give him loads and loads of praise and a treat when he does something right for you.

Occasionally, even thinking through a basics dog training method does not result in a clear understanding of how it works.

One day a fellow drove up to class in a pickup with his dog in the back. The dog trainer explained to him that it was very dangerous to have the dog in the back of an open pickup. He went through the normal care dog lecture on how the dog's nose and eyes could be damaged from debris in the air, the danger of the dog being thrown out of the truck in an accident, etc.

The fellow proudly said, ""I fixed the dog problem of jumping out of the truck. He was jumping out and I would throw him back in. We did this for five or six times when I finally got really mad and threw him in the truck for the seventh time and stuffed a piece of horse manure in his mouth for good measure. After that the dog never jumped out again, and the next time he does something bad, I am going to use that manure trick again.""

Remember what seems awful for humans could actually be premium dog food for the dog. It was really hard to determine if the dog stopped jumping out of the truck because he got tired of being thrown back in, or if he was grateful for the gourmet horse manure treat.

If you are not sure about exactly how or why a basics dog training method works, it is probably best to avoid the technique altogether. Even the most popular basics dog training methods use techniques that may not be suited for every breed or temperament of dog.

A trainer who evaluates each method based on the efficacy of the associations and motivators will be better equipped to match the appropriate dog obedience training method with the dog's individual temperament.

Basics Dog Training.

About the author: John Mailer. Basics Dog Training Tips and Ideas http://basicsdogtraining.blogspot.com, http://housetrainingfordogs.blogspot.com http://housetrainingforpuppies.com

Nutrition - Dog Food or Junk Food

Author: Kevin Shayne

For a long time I've felt, believed and experienced that nutrition is key to health. Junk goes in and the result is poor health. Maybe not immediately but definitely it will add up to a toxic level and cause poor health. This goes for all living things. No one or being lives forever, obviously, however we want to extend the time we have and make the time we have a healthy one.

During my hundreds and hundreds of hours research in investigating dog foods I found the most remarkable things. Some of what I found was shocking and other facts were down right disgusting. For starters, the dog food industry is totally unregulated meaning that manufacturers can, and do, put whatever they want into ""food"". There are documented reports of animal waste products, ground up dog carcasses, and other animal wastes put into dog foods. These acts are not myths or legends unfortunately.

Among the ingredients in about 99.99% of dog foods you find sugar, salt, corn, phosphates, artificial flavors and colorings. It appears as if the simple dog food has turned into a fast food garbage dump.

Dogs are naturally carnivores and scavengers however since their domestication they have relied on a lot of human help in the nutrition arena. As we have moved from fresh foods to processed foods so have our dogs. Just like us our dogs have now inherited human like modern diseases (from cancer, diabetes, and skin ailments to early death).

Veterinarian Dr Jane Bicks has written that dogs should be living in the range of 18-25 years old. This has been supported by friends of mine from other countries where dogs who eat ""closer to the earth"" commonly live to those ages. Basically we are killing our dog with processed foods.

I must admit to having certain biases based upon personal experience, knowledge about health, and what I've learned. For example, there is a lot of literature on the inability of animals to assimilate fractioned nutrition. What is fractionated nutrition? It is vitamins and supplements. Check the super market or even some of the premium dog food brands and you'll find them packed with vitamins and supplements. But, that doesn't mean they are good!

Let me explain. The processing of and extracting of ""nutritional value"" causes molecular differences between food and these ""vitamins"". The result is that the body doesn't assimilate it. Here are list of some of the things you loose with fractionated vitamins over foods: compound vitamins and minerals, trace minerals, enzymes, flavonoids, carotenoids, pigments, terpenes, chlorophyll, coenzymes, covitamins, amino acids and much more.

Animals aren't designed to consume fractionated nutrition. Animals are designed to consume food not chemicals. The concept that altered nutrition fulfills the body's requirements is false. This goes for all animals not just humans.

So, the movement toward providing dogs with raw (BARF diet) and pure foods is a fantastic one. As a dog owner I know it can be rough to provide and shop for my dogs like they are humans but it is necessary for them to be healthy and live long lives.

About the author: Kevin Shayne is founder of http://www.dogcare-doghealth.com which exclusively provides information on the most desired dog health concerns. Besides over 14 years in business Kevin has advocated quality nutrition and organics for over 10 years. In response to demand he built http://www.all-natural-nutritional-supplements.com. This is a high quality whole food nutritional website for both humans and pets.

Improve Your Dog's Health With Natural Dog Health Care

Author: Joan Winthorp

Everyone who has a dog and who is conscientious about their own health will clearly see the benefits of providing a similar lifestyle for their pet. That not only means finding a good place for your dog to live, but also providing for his health.

Commit yourself to your dog's health by giving your dog the best in natural dog health care. As with humans, natural health care for dogs is often an advantageous alternative to chemical treatment.

If you want your dog to have the benefit of providing you with the companionship and entertainment that you need, then you really should make that effort to take care of his needs.

Natural dog health focuses on taking care of your dog's needs by using the best natural products you can find. Your dog has special needs; and you must to ensure that these needs are met on a regular basis if you want to see your dog live a long and healthy life.

Natural dog health care is also about purchasing the natural products that will best benefit your dog. A healthy dog is a happy dog; and when you take out your friend to play, everyone you encounter will see exactly how much love and dedication you have by giving your dog the best treatment and lifestyle possible.

The shiny coat and healthy look will be all the evidence they need. You will also be doing the best for yourself by adapting the natural dog care lifestyle, since you will have your friend around for a long time.

His immune system will be strong and he will enjoy partaking in the games that you will play. Natural dog health is also about changing your lifestyle so that you can be able to incorporate it in the way that you take care of your dog.

That means that you too should consider making natural health a part of you life. This could mean purchasing products that are natural and therefore good for your health.

By combining both methods, both you and your dog can life a happy and healthy life.

About the author: Joan Winthorp has always been fascinated by dogs. If you are a ""dog lover"" then the Joans website at http://www.my-dog-training-secrets.com was written just for you.

Tips For Choosing a Dog Day Care

Author: Margaret Svete

Dog day care is all the rage these days. Dog day care is a great solution for working dog owners who feel guilty about leaving their dogs home all day. We asked Elizabeth Gabriel, founder of the Dog House, one of the first dog day cares in the country to offer some tips for choosing a doggie day care. Here they are:

-The owner is very important. A good doggie day care owner is on sight the majority of the time. ""I don't care how much people are paid. If it is not your business, you will not take care of it like you would if you owned it.""

-Are there enough people on staff to handle all of the dogs? Is the dog day care facility large enough to accommodate all of the dogs?

-Does the center have an outdoor play area for dogs?

-Are large and small dogs separated from each other or do they play together?

-How much do the people operating the day care know about dogs and behavior? If the facility offers agility equipment, does the staff know how to safely use it?

-Is the facility clean? This goes without saying.

-Does the dog day care have good ventilation? Good ventilation curbs smells and airborne diseases.

-Is the facility dog-proofed? I.e. are there any exposed wires begging to be chewed? Are there any nails sticking out? Are outlets covered when not in use?

-What are the dog day care's health policies? Which vaccinations does the daycare require? Does the facility keep track of vaccination due dates or do they rely on the owner?

-Does the facility allow surprise inspections from dog owners? You should be suspicious of daycares or kennels that require appointments for visits.

About the author: Margaret Svete, best-selling author of 116 Ways To Spoil Your Dog, television and radio personality, and dog rescuer helps dog owners discover new and exciting ways to spoil their dogs. Visit her site at http://www.spoilyourdog.com

Looking After Your Dog, Part Four - Dog Doors

Author: Niall Kennedy

A dog door is a small swinging door that, once installed in a door or wall, will allow your dog access to the outside of the house. This allows you to enjoy dinner, or your favorite movie, without being interrupted because your dog is adamant on having a stroll in the backyard. With a dog door, your dog has the freedom to move in an out of the house without someone's aid.

There are several different types of dog doors, from the basic models that make use of a mechanical flap to the deluxe ones that are radio wave operated. The most common type consists of a single flap or door with a hinge at the top. The flap swings freely when pushed and falls back into place once the dog has passed through. Dog doors also have a lock mechanism, which comes handy when you want to restrict your dog indoors or outdoors.

Though quite helpful, conventional dog doors can be a nuisance at times, since stray dogs, raccoons and other small animals might enter your house. Radio wave operated deluxe dog doors can successfully counter this situation. A small battery-operated transmitter on your dog's collar disables the lock when your dog nears the door. The dog door otherwise remains locked at all times, thereby warding off other animals.

Dog doors come in a variety of sizes to accommodate different size pets. Having chosen the style, you must ensure that the dog door is large enough to allow an easy passage for your dog. Certainly, you would not want your dog to get stuck in the door while walking out. Your dog should be able to tread through with ease by just lowering its head to push the door open.

Most dog doors are rather inexpensive. However, the electronic ones and those that are fitted in sliding glass doors may incur a higher cost. But cost should not be a major determining factor while choosing a dog door. A durable and automated dog door, though expensive, will eliminate the need for constant supervision of your dog.

About the author: Best Pet Health Information is a resource that brings you information about dog health . http://www.Best-Pet-Health.info. Dog News Center - Dog Article Directory - Submit Your Articles Now

Copyright Best-Pet-Health.info This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact.

Key Points Checklist Before You Buy Your First Dog

Author: Neol David

Hold on... Are You buying Your first Pet Dog?

Do you understand the responsiblities You have assume the moment you plan to buy a pup/dog.

A dog can be a great addition to your family as long as you are all in it together. A dog needs lots of attention and training in order to be a joy instead of a pain. Also think of the type of dog you wish to get.

It is important before making any more progress with your plans to be sure that everyone in family and even those people who work in house really want a puppy. In order to manage a puppy successfully, It must be wanted by all the family and they must all feel equal goodwill towards it.

The confident happy dog, which feels that the world is a reliable place where human behaviour is consisten will bring you compliments everywhere.

Here is a CheckList which You should complete before making any plans to bring a pup home.

Have we sufficient Space for a dog indoors and out? Dogs should not be left alone for long periods of time during a day. Going to work should be fine as long as you have a crate, but remember your dog had physical needs also.

Can we proivde companionship and interest for the dogs for the greater part of the day, especially when it's young? Like I said, Dogs should not be left alone.

Do you choose a male or female dog? If you find your male dog is trying to dominate your household and he is unneutered, take him to your veterinarian and have him neutered. This should stop the aggressive behavior also.

Is our garden sufficiently well fenced to keep a dog in?

Where will we take the dog for exercise, Away from motor traffic and where it can be let off the lead easily and regularly

Can we afford to feed a dog properly and pay for regularl vaccinations and boosters to protect it form disease?

Have we budgeted for veterinary Fees in illness and accident or for an insurance plicy to cover those fees and our third party liability if our dog should cause an injury or damage to another person's property?

Is our family or our environment likely to change in the foreseeable future, making the conditions for having a dog less suitable? Giving a pet as a gift whether it is a new puppy, kitten, ferret, or bunny rabbit is never a good idea.

Can we make plans afor the dog when we go on holiday, Have we budgeted for boarding kennel expenses?

Do all the family really want a dog and are we willing to be responsible owners, not allowing our dog to be nuisance in any way?

Are we happy to accpet the inconveniences associated with dog ownership? Does everyone in your home wish to get a dog? Who will be souly responsible for this new pet?

Have we the time to look after a dog, no and in forseeable future?

Additionally You should remember, If you live in an apartment I would not suggest getting something like a German shepard or a Newfoundland, both breeds are large and demand more room out of your small space.

Before you leave, I suggest you to get a Free Ebook on Train Your Dog with Understanding from http:/ /dog-training.my-infoworld.com/dog-training.pdf . It's a Free Book, No email to give either. Share this book with Everyone You know.

About the author: Dog behavior and Obedience training tips . More articles on Dog Behavior ,

Dog obedience training

Looking After Your Dog, Part Five - Dog Food

Author: Niall Kennedy

A balanced and nutritious diet is essential for your dog's health. Though dogs have an inherent liking for meat-based foods, they can very well survive on a vegetarian diet, provided it's complete with all the required nutrients. With an enormous variety of dog foods available, deciding what's best for your dog can often be confusing.

Water is an essential component of a dog's body, and your pet should have access to it at all times - this could prevent dehydration and overheating. As far as the number of feedings is concerned, for an adult dog, one or two feedings a day would suffice. However, puppies need to eat more frequently than an adult dog. Up to fifty percent of an adult dog's diet may comprise of carbohydrates.

As for the food type, you could feed your dog with homemade food or commercial dog food. In general, commercial dog foods are available in three forms - dry, semi-moist and canned; with the most prevalent being dry dog foods. The dry form has a meager 10% of water content and should be supplemented by a healthy supply of fluids (water). Canned dog foods contain around 65% of water with the rest being dry stuff. Veterinarians don't recommend the semi-moist variety, since it contains an awful lot of additives in the form of preservatives.

Dry dog foods are a proportionate blend of grains, meat-based products, fats, mineral and vitamins - all that a dog needs. However, relative to the dry variety, canned dog foods appear more delectable and aromatic to your dog. Therefore, when presented with a choice, your dog would certainly prefer canned dog foods. But there is a caveat - dogs that are fed a strict canned food diet are more likely to develop gum and teeth problems. Conclusion - No matter what the variety of commercial dog food that you purchase, it is imperative that your dog's diet adheres to the National Research Council's guidelines on canine nutrition. It would be better still if the dog food is certified by the Association of American Feed Control Officials.

About the author: Best Pet Health Information is a resource that brings you information about dog health . http://www.Best-Pet-Health.info. Dog News Center - Dog Article Directory - Submit Your Articles Now

Copyright Best-Pet-Health.info All rights reserved. This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact.

How to Find the Right Dog for You

Author: Brian Alan Burhoe

""How do I choose the right dog?""

Most of us want to start with a puppy -- raising it from its beginning. But sometimes we want an adult dog. They're already trained. An older owner appreciates a less rambunctious dog, calmer...

Choosing the right dog generally means identifying the type of animal that matches your lifestyle and wants. If you live alone in a small, third-floor apartment, for instance, adopting a large, active retriever mix might not be the best choice.

Conversely, if you have a family of four and are looking for a companion to match your active lifestyle, such an animal may be perfect. A dog's size, exercise requirements, friendliness, assertiveness, and compatibility with children should all figure into your decision.

""The key element,"" say the folks at Worldwide Pet Sitters Directory ""is choosing the right breed for you!""

So how do you find out which dogs have the qualities you're looking for? Information is the key: Learn about various breeds, visit with animals at the shelter, and speak with an adoption counselor for guidance.

Dogs fall into one of two categories: purebreds or mixed breeds. Most animal shelters have plenty of both. The only significant difference between the two is that purebreds, because their parents and other ancestors are all members of the same breed, are similar to a specific ""breed standard."" This means that if you adopt a purebred puppy, you have a good chance of knowing about how big he'll get and what general physical and behavioral characteristics he'll have.

Of course, the size, appearance, and temperament of most mixed breed dogs can be predicted as well. After all, mixed breeds are simply combinations of different breeds. So if you know the ancestry of a particular mixed-breed puppy or can identify what type of dog he is (e.g., terrier mix), you have a good chance of knowing how he'll turn out, too.

Mixed breeds offer several advantages over purebreds. When you adopt a mixed breed, you benefit from the combined traits of two or more breeds. You also get a dog who's likely to be free of genetic defects common to certain purebred dogs. Mixed breeds, in fact, are often considered the more ""natural"" dog. When you adopt a mixed breed, you adopt a totally unique companion

You need to know the dog's age, is it meek or assertive, how good is it with childern?

Many decide to find a purebred dog. The great advantage to getting a pureblood, is that you can almost always tell its temperment by its parentage.

To be able to recognize responsible breeders, you need to know the signs of an irresponsible breeder as well. Irresponsible breeders can not answer your questions about the breed; its exercise requirements, grooming requirements, activity level, temperament, among other breed standards. They can tell you about their dog, but the breed in general is a mystery to them. They have done little to no research on the breed or its characteristics. Irresponsible breeders also provide no form of health guarantee for the puppy once it has left their premises.

The puppies have often not been checked by a vet, or dewormed, although they will often have had their first shots. Ask for a health record detailing what they have been given. If you are wanting a purebred puppy, registered with a kennel club, ask about the papers if they do not volunteer the information. Never buy a supposedly registered puppy without having the papers in your hands when you leave. There is no guarantee you will ever get the papers otherwise.

The papers usually consist of information for you to fill out and send in to the registry, in order to register the puppy.

Responsible breeders do the opposite of all of the above.

They can answer almost any question you ask, and if they do not know one or two, they know exactly where to find out. You can ask about coat color, adult size, activity levels, does the breed shed, or any other question, and they will answer them. Ask about general dog information, and they can answer that as well, not just breed characteristics. They can provide references from previous people who have purchased puppies.

A health guarantee and record goes home with each puppy, detailing exactly when the puppy was dewormed, the puppy vaccinations it was given and when, as well as when the breeder's veterinarian examined the pup.

The health guarantee can vary in the amount of time given, but usually provides times for you to take the pup to have it examined by a vet, offering a refund if any defects or hereditary problems are found. A responsible breeder willingly provides you with registration papers, and can give valuable advice as to how to fill them out. Above everything else, you will be able to see a responsible breeder's concern for the breed, and especially for each puppy in the litter.

They will give you contact information, and instruct you to call, write, or email whenever you have a question, or just an update. They are always available to help and to answer any questions as your puppy grows and matures, and goes through the various stages of puppyhood

A wide chasm separates a responsible, caring breeder, from a breeder interested only in making an extra buck. Knowing the signs to recognize the two will allow you to find a good breeder, and even more importantly, your new best friend.

To learn more about dog behavior, breeds, finding the right dog through Breeders Directories such as DOG BREEDERS BIZ -- go to PUPPY DOGS INFO! It's all there!

See more Articles by Brian Alan Burhoe at PUPPY DOGS INFO Dog Breeds Training Care & Literature: http://www.puppy-dogs.info

About the author: Brian Alan Burhoe is the author of many dog-related articles and short stories. His fiction includes the free online story WOLFBL OOD A Northwestern in the Tradition of Jack London . Many of his articles can be found at PUPPY DOGS INFO Dog Breeds Training Care Literature . Or do an Author Search on GoArticles!

What is Dog Whispering?

Author: Robert Bercume

What Is Dog Whispering?

Dog Whispering is a method of Dog Training that utilizes voice, body language, and a unique communication method that will ultimately create a special bond between you the trainer, and your Dog.

Why are Dog Owners Worldwide Seeking This Method of Training?

Dog Whispering is one of the most effective and popular methods of training because of it's gentle humane approach.

Many Professional Trainers are mastering this technique as Dog owners like the gentle, soft voice training approach.

Many professional trainers offer Dog Whisper Training, but as you know It can be quite expensive hiring a professional trainer.

Because of recent media attention with Television shows and the Likes of Cesar Millan, professional trainers have brought their Dog Training skills to include Dog Whispering to the Online World. Now many popular training methods are available online in the form of Video, DVD's CD-ROM's, Books, eBooks etc.. at a fraction of the cost.

A properly trained dog will respond properly to all the owner's commands, and will not display anxiety, displeasure or confusion.

A good dog training program will focus on allowing the dog to learn just what is expected of it, and will use positive reinforcement to reward desired behaviors.

When reviewing a training program or product consider the ever popular Dog Whispering technique, for a totally humane approach to Dog or Puppy Training.

Robert Bercume

http://www.SimpleDogTraining.com

About the author: Robert Bercume is the creator of 3 popular Dog Training Websites assisting dog owners worldwide in locating and selecting a proper dog training program. http://www.Dog-Training-Sites.com, http://www.SimpleDogTraining.com, & http://www.PuppyTipster.com

Looking After Your Dog, Part Six - Dog Health Insurance

Author: Niall Kennedy

Pet health insurance is not a novel idea by any means. The concept has been around for 15-20 years. Many people believe that having medical insurance for a pet is not justified, and is rather something that depicts indulgence. However, the truth is that pet health insurance has nothing to do with being lavish. It purely depends on how much you care for your pet. It is the question of whether you consider your pet a part of your family, and therefore, would want to have it insured.

Pet health insurance plans take several aspects into consideration before awarding an insurance cover. The decision may be based on several considerations - species, age, pre-existing health conditions and lifestyle of the pet (i.e. a docile one compared to one of a sports dog). A few of the pet insurance companies don't have an age limit. However, it's easier to get pet health insurance if your pet isn't too old. Therefore, insurance schemes typically start off at an early age of around 6 weeks for a dog.

The decision to have pet health insurance also depends a lot on your pet's current health. If, God forbid, your canine is suffering from a fatal ailment, then there is no point having him insured. Moreover, getting insurance in such a case is all the more difficult to say the least. Pet health insurance costs vary widely owing much to the broad variety of insurance packages available. Comprehensive pet health insurance schemes cover the costs of annual checkups, vaccinations, routine care and preventive medications, and spay/neuter surgeries. Partial plans only cover accident and illness costs.

Insurance schemes are not for everyone. It might be the case that your dog's current health condition does not satisfy the requirements of the insurance company. But you should not be disheartened in such a scenario. Some medical facilities offer pet wellness packages, which allow you to avail vaccinations and pet health checkups at discounted prices. You could go ahead for one such scheme.

About the author: Best Pet Health Information is a resource that brings you information about dog health insurance . http://www.Best-Pet-Health.info. Dog News Center - Dog Article Directory - Submit Your Articles Now

Copyright Best-Pet-Health.info This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact.